Bill Cowher, Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and Accredited Debt Relief brand ambassador, joined host Rob Maaddi on AP’s Football Unfiltered podcast to connect what football taught him about resilience and leadership to how people can face debt: surround yourself with the right people, come up with a plan and commit to it.
Cowher led the Pittsburgh Steelers for 15 seasons, won a Super Bowl and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He said the mindset he carried through his years as a player and coach comes down to one idea.
“I’ll be defined by how many times I keep getting back up,” he said.
Why Bill Cowher Partners With Accredited Debt Relief
Cowher said the partnership comes out of how he thinks about leadership: bringing people together around a common goal and giving them direction. He said debt is a bigger part of American life than ever, and he sees the partnership as an opportunity for people carrying it.
“A great leader inspires those around them,” he said.
What Football Taught Bill Cowher About Facing Debt
Debt is not a stigma. Cowher compared debt to a team that loses two or three games. It’s adversity, he said, and a chance to show resilience.
“It’s adversity, yes, but it’s an opportunity to show personal growth, an opportunity to show resiliency, because that’s what resiliency is, the ability to manage high pressure situations, be committed to something, and then see it all the way through,” he said.
Having the right people and a plan matters. Cowher said what matters is who you surround yourself with and the plan you commit to.
“It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people, coming up with a plan, and then being able to make the sacrifice and commitment to that plan,” he said.
Every person is different. Cowher said leaders need to understand the challenges in front of each person, then give them a support group and a game plan to manage their unique challenges, including stress and anxiety.
Getting back up. Cowher went undrafted and played four seasons in the NFL before becoming a Hall of Fame coach. He said he never felt entitled to anything and always felt he had something to prove. The same mindset shapes how he talks about debt, which he calls adversity and also a chance to show resiliency.
Watch the full episode: Devin Lloyd discusses the Panthers’ defense improvement and growing up in a military family
About Accredited Debt Relief
Accredited Debt Relief is an award-winning and highly rated provider of personalized debt relief options. Their mission is to make debt relief accessible so that no one has to face debt alone.
Accredited Debt Relief has helped more than 1.3 million people. To date, they have resolved $15+ billion in debt.
Accredited Debt Relief earned 2025 ConsumerAffairs Buyer’s Choice Awards for Best Customer Service, Best Value and Best Overall Process. They also hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and accreditation from the Association for Consumer Debt Relief.